Stanford's Grape Policy Committee to hold public hearing

STANFORD -- A committee charged with advising the Stanford
University administration on its policy concerning the purchase of table
grapes will hold a public hearing on the issues from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov.
28, in Kresge Auditorium.

Luis Fraga, director of Stanford's Center for Chicano Research,
associate professor of political science and chairman of the Grape Policy
Committee, said people from Stanford and the surrounding communities may
reserve presentation time in advance by calling the Center for Chicano
Research at 723-3914.

Each person signing up can speak for up to five minutes at the meeting.
Following the pre-arranged presentations, additional speakers will be
allowed, time permitting, Fraga said.

"We want to hear from the broader community," he said. "I want to make
sure that the members of this committee are fully informed about the full
range of perspectives" on the issues.

Fraga said the committee, which has been meeting weekly since early
October, had formed four subcommittees, each of which will contribute to the
full group's report to the president. That report will be ready by the end of
the fall quarter, he said.

The committee has interviewed representatives of the United Farm Workers
Union, the Grape Growers and Farmers Coalition, and the state Department of
Pesticide Regulations, among others. It also has pored over a number of
government documents, policy papers and scientific studies on pesticide use
and the grape industry.

The collected materials have been made available to the public at four
campus locations: Meyer Library reserve, El Centro Chicano, the Office for
Multicultural Development and the Office of the Academic Secretary (the
latter two offices are located in Building 170).

"Anybody who wants can look over all of the material that we have
examined," Fraga said.

The committee was created after a hunger strike by four Chicana students
and related demonstrations last spring. Other committees currently are
studying whether Stanford should develop Chicano studies and Asian American
studies programs. Those committees also plan to submit their reports before
the quarter ends in mid-December.

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